POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 360, 29 October 1898, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

(by telegraph--press association). Wellington, Last Night. AN EXTRAORDINARY POSITION. The chief topic of discussion in the loobies to-day is the curious attitude assumed by the Speaker over Mr Roderick McKenz'.e's resignation of his seat in the House. It was stated in all directions on the authority of the member for Motueka himself that he had resigned his seat and was going tuck to \Vestport immediately. Oaptaic Russell raised the question in the House this afternoon, when the Premier stated plainly that Mr McKenzie had not resigned. The Speaker, however, said that he was the person who was best able to explain the position. He, therefore, told the House that Mr R. McKeuzie. at an early hour this morning, met him (Sir Maurice O'Rorke) in the passage leading from ths House to his official rooms and handed him a certain document, which Mr McKeuzie said contained his resignation. He (Sir Maurice) said he declined to take the document, ou the ground that as Speaker of the House he should not be intercepted in that manner whilst returning to his rooms from the chamber itself. Mr McKenzie waited ou him later in the day and handed him a closed document which ho (Sir Maurice) declined to open. At a still later period a messenger waited on him, and he (the Speaker) gave the messenger the document for the person he thought had the best rieht to it. He (Sir Maurice) therefore had not received Mr McKeuzie's resignation. Mr Rolleston here asked whether the messenger had come from Mr McKenzie, to which the Speaker replied in a hesitating manner that lie presumed so. After some further discussion the Premier asked the House to leave the matter over till Monday, which was agreed to. Several members strongly object to the Speaker's action over the whole business, as it is distinctly laid down in the "Regulation of Elections Act of 1881" that a member's seat shall become vacant if he resigns his seat by writing, addressed to the Speaker. In the meantime, Mr McKenzie declares that he certainly has resigned, and that he has no intention whatever of withdrawing his resignation. The whole affair has, of course, arisen owing to the member for Motueka having, at an early hour this morning, been suspended for a week by the •Speaker for persistently refusing to obey the Chairmau of Committees. MR McKENZIF/S ATTITUDE. The member for Motueka to-day, in reply to enquirfes made, said that the real cause of the trouble was the remark made in a spirit of banter by the member for Buller that lie was not responsible for his actions, the imputasion being thus conveyed that be was not in a fit condition to discharge his legislative duties. The insinuation he absolutely without foundation, and what he complains of is that when he wished to take exception to it the Speaker, in a desire to uphold the ruling of the Chairman of the Committees, absolutely refused to hear him. Finding Sir Maurice O'Rorke inexorable, he left the Chamber and at once wrote out his resignation. Armed with this he repaired to the Speaker's room and meeting Sir Maurice, presented it to him. Sir Maurice refused to accept it and advised Mr McKenzie to let the matter stand over for a few hours, but finding that the member for Motueka was in deadly earnest he accepted the missive containing the resignation and thrust it into his coat pocket, at the same time advising the lion, member to see him again this morning. This Mr McKenzie absolutely refused to do, and despite the entreaties of the Premier and of members representing both branches of the Legislature, persists in his determination not to recede from his position. He states that he will not contest the by-election caused by his resignation, but that he will oppose Mr O'Regan for the Buller at the general election. Mr O'Regan states that when he made the remark that Mr R. McKenzie was not responsible for what he was saying, he (Mr O'Regan) was speaking, and, therefore, did not interject the remark when Mr McKenzie was speaking.

A CO-OPERATIVE COMPLAINT. The Public Petitions Committee has reported on the petition of H. L. Greer, of Johnsonville, who prayed for an inquiry into the mode of carrying out certain co-operative works. The committee reported that the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. They farther recommend that in all future co-operative contracts the schedule of all work to be done should be attached to and form part of the contract before work is commenced. This step seems necessary in view of the frequent complaints of a similar nature. MR T. McKENZIE. It may be remembered that Mr Thomas McKenzie, who represented the Clutha district in the House for two or three Parliaments, proceeded to Englaud some three years ago as London manager of the Canterbury Farmers' Co-operative Association. The Otago Daily Times now states on reliable authority that Mr McKenzie intends to sever his connection with the Association ou the Ist May next, and that it is his intention, at the forthcoming general election, to seek to renew his connection with the Clutha constituency, and with no other. Mr McKenzie was a strong supporter of the late Sir Harry Atkinson, and was a prominent member of the present Opposition, ______________